Smart vacation

ABSTRACT

A method for security and/or automation systems is described. In some embodiments, the method may include detecting departure data relating to at least one of an occupant and a premises, identifying a likelihood of an absence in relation to the premises based at least in part on the departure data, and sending a confirmation request based at least in part on the identifying for the occupant associated with the premises to confirm the absence. In some cases, the absence may include the premises being unoccupied for at least a portion of a predetermined time period. The predetermined time period may include at least one night.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure, for example, relates to security and/orautomation systems. Security and automation systems are widely deployedto provide various types of communication and functional features suchas monitoring, communication, notification, and/or others. These systemsmay be capable of supporting communication with a user through acommunication connection or a system management action.

Automation systems may relate to features enabled at a premises and mayoperate when an occupant leaves a premises. In some cases an occupantmay forget to perform an action related to an automation system orfeature of a premises when he or she leaves the premises for a period oftime, whether for portions of a day, a full day, multiple days, etc.

SUMMARY

The disclosure herein includes methods and systems for improvingsecurity and/or automation systems when an occupant leaves a premises.In some embodiments, the present systems and methods may enable thesecurity and/or automation systems to perform one or more actions basedon a determination, estimation, calculation, or other processingrelating to whether the premises will be unoccupied for a predeterminedtime period. For example, the security and automation systems maydetermine a likelihood that the premises will be unoccupied for at leastone night and/or a likelihood that the occupant will not return to thepremises for at least one day and/or night. The system may query theoccupant to confirm the absence and based at least in part on thisconfirmation may perform one or more additional actions. Theseadditional actions may include, but are not limited to, arming asecurity system or initiating an adjustment of and/or adjusting one ormore systems such as a lighting system, heating ventilation airconditioning (HVAC) system, door lock system, etc.

A method for security and/or automation systems is described. In someembodiments, the method may include detecting departure data relating toat least one of an occupant and a premises, identifying a likelihood ofan absence in relation to the premises based at least in part on thedeparture data, and sending a confirmation request based at least inpart on the identifying for the occupant associated with the premises toconfirm the absence. In some cases, the absence may include the premisesbeing unoccupied for at least a portion of a predetermined time period.The predetermined time period may include at least one night.

In some embodiments, the likelihood of the absence may be based at leastin part on a current travel pattern of the occupant. The current travelpattern may include a location, a route, a direction of travel, adistance from the premises, an elapsed time since departure, or anycombination thereof. In some cases, the method includes determiningwhether the current travel pattern matches one or more previous travelpatterns associated with a previous absence and modifying the likelihoodof the absence based at least in part on the determining. In someembodiments, the method may include determining whether a location ofone or more other occupants of the premises relates to the currenttravel pattern and modifying the likelihood of the absence based atleast in part on the determining. In some cases, the confirmationrequest may include a request for an indicator related to a length thatthe premises is expected to be unoccupied. In some embodiments, themethod may include initiating an adjustment of and/or adjusting at leastone aspect of a lighting system, or a climate control system, or asecurity system, or an appliance control system, or a combinationthereof, based at least in part on the indicator.

In some embodiments, the method may include requesting a confirmation toschedule one or more system status updates. The one or more systemstatus updates may permit generating a virtual key to enable entry ofthe premises during the absence. In some cases, the method may includeautomatically scheduling one or more system status updates. In oneexample, the method may include sending a reminder to a designated user.The reminder may relate to at least one of mail pickup, or garbagecollection, or lawn care, or premises inspection, or a virtual key, or acombination thereof.

In some embodiments, the method may include checking for securityirregularities relating to the premises and providing a notificationbased at least in part on the checking. In some embodiments, thenotification is provided to at least one of the occupant and adesignated user. In some embodiments, the method may include varying aschedule for powering at least one of a light, or an appliance, or amedia device, or a combination thereof.

An apparatus for security and/or automation systems is also described.In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a processor, memory inelectronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored inthe memory, the instructions being executable by the processor toperform the steps of detecting departure data relating to at least oneof an occupant and a premises, identifying a likelihood of an absence inrelation to the premises based at least in part on the departure data,and sending a confirmation request based at least in part on theidentifying for the occupant associated with the premises to confirm theabsence. In some cases, the absence may include the premises beingunoccupied for at least a portion of a predetermined time period. Insome embodiments, the predetermined time period may include at least onenight.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium is also described. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium may store computer-executablecode, the code being executable by a processor to perform the steps ofdetecting departure data relating to at least one of an occupant and apremises, identifying a likelihood of an absence in relation to thepremises based at least in part on the departure data, and sending aconfirmation request based at least in part on the identifying for theoccupant associated with the premises to confirm the absence. In somecases, the absence may include the premises being unoccupied for atleast a portion of a predetermined time period. In some embodiments, thepredetermined time period may include at least one night.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of examples according to this disclosure so that thefollowing detailed description may be better understood. Additionalfeatures and advantages will be described below. The conception andspecific examples disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis formodifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do notdepart from the scope of the appended claims. Characteristics of theconcepts disclosed herein—including their organization and method ofoperation—together with associated advantages will be better understoodfrom the following description when considered in connection with theaccompanying figures. Each of the figures is provided for the purpose ofillustration and description only, and not as a definition of the limitsof the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the presentdisclosure may be realized by reference to the following drawings. Inthe appended figures, similar components or features may have the samereference label. Further, various components of the same type may bedistinguished by following a first reference label with a dash and asecond label that may distinguish among the similar components. However,features discussed for various components—including those having a dashand a second reference label—apply to other similar components. If onlythe first reference label is used in the specification, the descriptionis applicable to any one of the similar components having the same firstreference label irrespective of the second reference label.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of a security and/or automationsystem in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a device relating to a security and/oran automation system, in accordance with various aspects of thisdisclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a device relating to a security and/oran automation system, in accordance with various aspects of thisdisclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram relating to a security and/or an automationsystem, in accordance with various aspects of this disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a data flow relating to a securityand/or an automation system, in accordance with various aspects of thisdisclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method relating to asecurity and/or an automation system, in accordance with various aspectsof this disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method relating to asecurity and/or an automation system, in accordance with various aspectsof this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Typically, an occupant of a premises may put a security system in anaway mode when leaving. Putting the automation system in away mode,however, fails to provide any indication of when the occupant willreturn and/or how long the premises will be unoccupied. When the systemis only put in an away mode, the system is usually only set to triggeran alarm upon detecting motion, opening doors, and/or other eventtriggers. In such cases, the system does not effectively manage energyuse by automatically initiating an adjustment of and/or adjusting one ormore systems such as a heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC)system, a lighting system, an appliance system, etc., automatically sendreminders to designated users, or automatically generate virtual keysbased on a likelihood of the premises being unoccupied, etc.

The following relates generally to automation and/or security systems.Automation systems may include one or more sensors located throughout apremises. For example, sensors located in and/or outside a premises mayinclude a location sensor, camera sensor, a motion sensor, a proximitysensor, and/or an audio sensor, among others. In some embodiments, suchsensors may be used to detect occupancy. One or more sensors may beintegrated with, communicate with, and/or separate from a device carriedby an occupant (e.g., smartphone, sensor chip, key fob presence sensor,etc.). A premises such as a home or business may employ automationand/or security systems to automate and secure an area of the premises.

An occupant may use a mobile device to monitor a home or business. Thepremises may include a security system. The occupant may arm thesecurity system when he or she leaves and disarm the security systemwhen he or she returns. The security system may arm in the same waywhether the occupant is leaving for the day or for multiple days. Whenthe occupant leaves the premises without arming, the premises may remainunprotected.

The present systems, devices, and methods relate to premises securityand occupant tracking associated with automation systems. The systemsand methods may be configured to inform occupants regarding the statusof a premises. For example, the systems and methods may includedetecting an occupant within, around, and/or departing a premises and/oranother location, and determining the likelihood that the occupant willnot be returning to the premises and/or other location for a portion ofa predetermined time period, such as at least one night. If thelikelihood indicates the premises will be unoccupied for at least onenight, the system may send a request to the occupant to confirm theoccupant's absence for at least one night. In some cases, upon detectingthe occupant's movements, including departing, the systems and methodsmay check for system irregularities in relation to the premises such asan unlocked door, an open door, an unlocked window, an open window,motion detection, an appliance being on, an appliance being off, a lightbeing on, a light being off, the HVAC system not turning on, an ambienttemperature satisfying a threshold, the HVAC system running for anunusual time (e.g., shorter or longer than usual), detecting someone atan entrance to the premises, detecting a package delivered to thepremises, etc. Upon detecting an irregularity, the systems and methodsmay send a notification to the occupant.

The system and methods may monitor the occupant to determine whether theoccupant's location, direction of travel, distance from the premises,and/or elapsed time since departure indicate a different likelihood ofthe occupant not returning to the premises for at least one night. Forexample, if the occupant travels more than 100 miles from the premisesin a direction the occupant seldom travels, then the systems and methodsmay determine it is more likely the occupant will not be returning forthe evening. As another example, if the occupant travels only 5 milesfrom the premises in a direction the occupant often travels, then thesystems and methods may determine it is less likely the occupant willnot be returning for the evening. If the occupant's location indicatesthe occupant is at a location relating to travel, such as an airport, atrain terminal, a bus terminal, a hotel, etc., then the systems andmethods may determine it is more likely the occupant will not bereturning for the evening.

In some embodiments, determining that the occupant's travel patternmatches one or more aspects of a travel pattern from a previous absencemay modify the likelihood of the absence. Additionally, oralternatively, determining that a location of one or more otheroccupants of the premises and/or other one or more other peopleassociated with the occupant matches the occupant's location, may modifythe likelihood of the absence. For example, determining a father, amother, and/or a child are traveling in a seldom traveled direction 100miles from the premises may increase the likelihood of an absence.

In some embodiments, if the systems and methods determine that theoccupant's travel pattern indicates that the premises will be unoccupiedfor at least a predetermined period (e.g., a day, a night, a week, anafternoon, etc.), the systems and methods may generate a message. Insome embodiments, the message may be sent to the occupant. The messagemay be sent via one or more available methods, including but not limitedto email, text message, social media message, voice mail, in-applicationmessage, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the message may requestthat the occupant confirm the indicated absence. In some embodiments,the message may automatically inform the occupant of the indicatedabsence based on one or more actions.

In some cases, a confirmation request may ask the occupant how manynights, days, hours, weeks, and/or other measuring methods that thepremises is expected to be unoccupied. In some embodiments, based atleast in part on user feedback and/or automatically, the methods and/orthe systems may initiate an adjustment of and/or adjust at least oneaspect of a lighting system, a climate control system, a securitysystem, an appliance control system, and/or other systems related to thepremises. In some embodiments, the one or more adjustments may be basedat least in part on a confirmed number of nights the premises isexpected to be unoccupied.

For example, upon determining the premises will be unoccupied for onlyone night, the system may turn on one or more outside lights and one ormore inside lights for the evening, and leave other systems, devices,and/or appliances unmodified. Upon determining the premises will beunoccupied two or more nights, the system may randomly turn lights onand off, initiate an adjustment of and/or adjust a heating ventilationair conditioning (HVAC) system based on outside temperature, insidetemperature, and/or other information, turn on and off one or more mediadevices such as a television, radio, computing device, etc.

In some embodiments, the systems and methods may ask the occupantwhether to send him or her system status updates before, during, and/orafter the absence. For example, upon receiving a confirmation from theoccupant that the premises will be unoccupied, the system may ask theoccupant to confirm that he or she wants to receive system statusupdates. In some cases, the system status update may include an optionto generate a virtual key. The virtual key may enable a non-occupant tointeract with one or more elements related to the premises during atleast a portion of the absence. The one or more elements may include adoor lock, a doorbell camera unit, a window, a door, a garage door, alight, an animal area, an area of the premises, a security panel, ashed, a temporary lock, an HVAC system, an appliance, and/or otherelements associated with a premises and/or an occupant of the premises.The system may send the virtual key to the designated non-occupant viaone or more methods, including but not limited electronic communicationmethods such as text messaging, email, social media message, etc.

In some embodiments, the systems and methods may send a reminder messageto a designated non-occupant. The message may be sent via textmessaging, email, social media message, etc. In some cases, the remindermay include at least one of a mail pickup reminder, garbage collectionreminder, lawn care reminder, premises inspection reminder. In somecases, the reminder may include a selectable option to enable thenon-occupant to request a temporary virtual key to access the premisesduring the absence

FIG. 1 is an example of a communications system 100 in accordance withvarious aspects of the disclosure. In some embodiments, thecommunications system 100 may include one or more sensor units 110,local computing device 115, 120, network 125, server 155, control panel135, and remote computing device 140. One or more sensor units 110 maycommunicate via wired or wireless communication links 145 with one ormore of the local computing device 115, 120 or network 125. The network125 may communicate via wired or wireless communication links 145 withthe control panel 135 and the remote computing device 140 via server155. In alternate embodiments, the network 125 may be integrated withany one of the local computing device 115, 120, server 155, and/orremote computing device 140, such that separate components are notrequired.

Local computing device 115, 120 and remote computing device 140 may becustom computing entities configured to interact with sensor units 110via network 125, and in some embodiments, via server 155. In otherembodiments, local computing device 115, 120 and remote computing device140 may be general purpose computing entities such as a personalcomputing device, for example, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, anetbook, a tablet personal computer (PC), a control panel, an indicatorpanel, a multi-site dashboard, an IPOD®, an IPAD®, a smart phone, amobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and/or any othersuitable device operable to send and receive signals, store and retrievedata, and/or execute modules.

Control panel 135 may be a smart home system panel, for example, aninteractive panel mounted on a wall in a user's home. Control panel 135may be in direct communication via wired or wireless communication links145 with the one or more sensor units 110, or may receive sensor datafrom the one or more sensor units 110 via local computing devices 115,120 and network 125, or may receive data via remote computing device140, server 155, and network 125.

The local computing devices 115, 120 may include memory, a processor, anoutput, a data input and a communication module. The processor may be ageneral purpose processor, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), anApplication Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital SignalProcessor (DSP), and/or the like. The processor may be configured toretrieve data from and/or write data to the memory. The memory may be,for example, a random access memory (RAM), a memory buffer, a harddrive, a database, an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), anelectrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a readonly memory (ROM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a floppy disk, cloudstorage, and/or so forth. In some embodiments, the local computingdevices 115, 120 may include one or more hardware-based modules (e.g.,DSP, FPGA, ASIC) and/or software-based modules (e.g., a module ofcomputer code stored at the memory and executed at the processor, a setof processor-readable instructions that may be stored at the memory andexecuted at the processor) associated with executing an application,such as, for example, receiving and displaying data from sensor units110.

The processor of the local computing devices 115, 120 may be operable tocontrol operation of the output of the local computing devices 115, 120.The output may be a television, a liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor,a cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, speaker, tactile output device, and/orthe like. In some embodiments, the output may be an integral componentof the local computing devices 115, 120. Similarly stated, the outputmay be directly coupled to the processor. For example, the output may bethe integral display of a tablet and/or smart phone. In someembodiments, an output module may include, for example, a HighDefinition Multimedia Interface™ (HDMI) connector, a Video GraphicsArray (VGA) connector, a Universal Serial Bus™ (USB) connector, a tip,ring, sleeve (TRS) connector, and/or any other suitable connectoroperable to couple the local computing devices 115, 120 to the output.

The remote computing device 140 may be a computing entity operable toenable a remote user to monitor the output of the sensor units 110. Theremote computing device 140 may be functionally and/or structurallysimilar to the local computing devices 115, 120 and may be operable toreceive data streams from and/or send signals to at least one of thesensor units 110 via the network 125. The network 125 may be theInternet, an intranet, a personal area network, a local area network(LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a virtual network, atelecommunications network implemented as a wired network and/orwireless network, etc. The remote computing device 140 may receiveand/or send signals over the network 125 via wireless communicationlinks 145 and server 155.

In some embodiments, the one or more sensor units 110 may be sensorsconfigured to conduct periodic and/or ongoing automatic measurementsrelated to occupancy and/or location data signals, among other things.Each sensor unit 110 may be capable of sensing multiple occupancy and/orlocation parameters, or alternatively, separate sensor units 110 maymonitor separate occupancy and location parameters. For example, onesensor unit 110 may monitor occupancy (e.g., motion detection, imagedetection, voice recognition, facial recognition, proximity sensor,detect a user query, etc.), while another sensor unit 110 (or, in someembodiments, the same sensor unit 110) may detect location (e.g., globalpositioning system (GPS), local positioning system (LPS), relativelocation, etc.).

Data gathered by the one or more sensor units 110 may be communicated tolocal computing device 115, 120, which may be, in some embodiments, athermostat or other wall-mounted input/output smart home display, amongother things. In other embodiments, local computing device 115, 120 maybe a personal computer, a tablet, a smart phone, a dedicated device,and/or other device. Where local computing device 115, 120 is a smartphone or related device, the smart phone may have a dedicatedapplication directed to collecting audio and/or video data andcalculating object detection therefrom. In some embodiments, the localcomputing device 115, 120 may process the data received from the one ormore sensor units 110 to obtain a probability of an object within anarea of a premises such as a person or object within a predetermineddistance of an entrance to the premises as one example. In alternateembodiments, remote computing device 140 may process the data receivedfrom the one or more sensor units 110, via network 125 and server 155,to obtain a probability of detecting an object within the vicinity of anarea of a premises, such as detecting a person at an entrance to thepremises for example. Data transmission may occur via, for example,frequencies appropriate for a personal area network (such as BLUETOOTH®or IR communications) or local or wide area network frequencies such asradio frequencies specified by the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, among others.

In some embodiments, local computing device 115, 120 may communicatewith remote computing device 140 or control panel 135 via network 125and server 155. Examples of networks 125 include cloud networks, localarea networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), virtual private networks(VPN), wireless networks (using 802.11, for example), and/or cellularnetworks (using 3G and/or LTE, for example), etc. In someconfigurations, the network 125 may include the Internet. In someembodiments, a user may access the functions of local computing device115, 120 from remote computing device 140. For example, in someembodiments, remote computing device 140 may include a mobileapplication that interfaces with one or more functions of localcomputing device 115, 120.

The server 155 may be configured to communicate with the sensor units110, the local computing devices 115, 120, the remote computing device140 and control panel 135. The server 155 may perform additionalprocessing on signals received from the sensor units 110 or localcomputing devices 115, 120, or may simply forward the receivedinformation to the remote computing device 140 and control panel 135.

Server 155 may be a computing device operable to receive data streams(e.g., from sensor units 110 and/or local computing device 115, 120 orremote computing device 140), store and/or process data, and/or transmitdata and/or data summaries (e.g., to remote computing device 140). Forexample, server 155 may receive a stream of occupancy data from a sensorunit 110, a stream of in-premises location data from the same and/or adifferent sensor unit 110, and/or a stream of out-of-premises locationdata from either the same or yet another sensor unit 110.

In some embodiments, server 155 may “pull” the data streams, e.g., byquerying the sensor units 110, the local computing devices 115, 120,and/or the control panel 135. In some embodiments, the data streams maybe “pushed” from the sensor units 110 and/or the local computing devices115, 120 to the server 155. For example, the sensor units 110 and/or thelocal computing device 115, 120 may be configured to transmit data as itis generated by or entered into that device. In some instances, thesensor units 110 and/or the local computing devices 115, 120 mayperiodically transmit data (e.g., as a block of data or as one or moredata points).

The server 155 may include a database (e.g., in memory and/or through awired and/or a wireless connection) containing audio and/or video datareceived from the sensor units 110 and/or the local computing devices115, 120. Additionally, as described in further detail herein, software(e.g., stored in memory) may be executed on a processor of the server155. Such software (executed on the processor) may be operable to causethe server 155 to monitor, process, summarize, present, and/or send asignal associated with resource usage data.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram 200 of an apparatus 205 for use inelectronic communication, in accordance with various aspects of thisdisclosure. The apparatus 205 may be an example of one or more aspectsof a control panel 135 described with reference to FIG. 1. The apparatus205 may include a receiver module 210, a smart vacation module 215,and/or a transmitter module 220. The apparatus 205 may also be orinclude a processor. Each of these modules may be in communication witheach other and/or other modules—directly and/or indirectly.

The components of the apparatus 205 may, individually or collectively,be implemented using one or more application-specific integratedcircuits (ASICs) adapted to perform some or all of the applicablefunctions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed byone or more other processing units (or cores), on one or more integratedcircuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits may beused (e.g., Structured/Platform ASICs, Field Programmable Gate Arrays(FPGAs), and other Semi-Custom ICs), which may be programmed in anymanner known in the art. The functions of each module may also beimplemented—in whole or in part—with instructions embodied in memoryformatted to be executed by one or more general and/orapplication-specific processors.

The receiver module 210 may receive information such as packets, userdata, and/or control information associated with various informationchannels (e.g., control channels, data channels, etc.). The receivermodule 210 may be configured to receive occupancy signals and/or data(e.g., proximity data, motion data, identification data, etc.) and/orlocation signals and/or data (e.g., GPS, LPS, direction of travel,route, distance from premises, estimated mode of travel, etc.), and/orother signals and/or data. Information may be passed on to the smartvacation module 215, and to other components of the apparatus 205.

In some embodiments, the smart vacation module 215 monitor a premises todetermine a likelihood the premises will be unoccupied for apredetermined time. In some embodiments, the likelihood may include, butis not limited to, a probability, a confidence level, a threshold, acalculation, a determination, among other things. For example, upondetermining an occupant is located 180 miles away from the premises andtraveling away from the premises at 60 miles per hour, the smartvacation module 215 may initiate and/or perform one or more operations,such as initiating an adjustment of and/or adjusting one or more aspectsof automated devices, based at least in part on the likelihood that theoccupant will not be home for a period of time, such as at least threehours. Based on the estimated time period the premises will likelyremain unoccupied, the smart vacation module 215 may initiate anadjustment of and/or adjust one or more components of a security and/orautomation system, including, but not limited to, lights, initiate anadjustment of and/or adjust a set temperature of a thermostat at thepremises, initiate an adjustment of and/or adjust the operation of anappliance (e.g., adjust an operation of a cycle of a dishwasher, clotheswasher, and/or dryer, etc.). For example, the smart vacation module 215may prolong the operation of a dryer cycle to minimize wrinkles in theitems being dried. As another example, the smart vacation module 215 maydelay the operation of an appliance (e.g., an oven, a coffee maker, awasher, a dryer, a water heater, a pool heater, etc.) to coincide with acalculated and/or a verified arrival time.

The transmitter module 220 may transmit the one or more signals receivedfrom other components of the apparatus 205. The transmitter module 220may transmit occupancy signals and/or data (e.g., proximity data, motiondata, identification data, etc.) and/or location signals and/or data(e.g., GPS, LPS, direction of travel, route, distance from premises,estimated mode of travel, etc.) and/or other data. In some cases,transmitter module 220 may transmit results of data analysis onoccupancy and/or location signals and/or data analyzed by smart vacationmodule 215, among other things. In some examples, the transmitter module220 may be collocated with the receiver module 210 in a transceivermodule. In other examples, these elements may not be collocated.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram 300 of an apparatus 205-a for use inwireless communication, in accordance with various examples. Theapparatus 205-a may be an example of one or more aspects of a controlpanel 135 described with reference to FIG. 1. It may also be an exampleof an apparatus 205 described with reference to FIG. 2. The apparatus205-a may include a receiver module 210-a, a smart vacation module215-a, and/or a transmitter module 220-a, which may be examples of thecorresponding modules of apparatus 205. The apparatus 205-a may alsoinclude a processor. Each of these components may be in communicationwith each other. The smart vacation module 215-a may include monitoringmodule 305, identification module 310, communication module 315,determination module 320, and/or modification module 325, among otherthings or modules. The receiver module 210-a and the transmitter module220-a may perform the functions of the receiver module 210 and thetransmitter module 220, of FIG. 2, respectively.

The components of the apparatus 205-a may, individually or collectively,be implemented using one or more application-specific integratedcircuits (ASICs) adapted to perform some or all of the applicablefunctions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed byone or more other processing units (or cores), on one or more integratedcircuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits may beused (e.g., Structured/Platform ASICs, Field Programmable Gate Arrays(FPGAs), and other Semi-Custom ICs), which may be programmed in anymanner known in the art. The functions of each module may also beimplemented—in whole or in part—with instructions embodied in memoryformatted to be executed by one or more general and/orapplication-specific processors.

In some embodiments, monitoring module 305 may monitor a security systemand/or an automation system associated with the premises. For example,in conjunction with one or more sensors, the monitoring module 305 maymonitor one or more doors, windows, areas of the premises, appliances,lighting, HVAC, vehicles, etc. In some cases, monitoring module 305 maydetect departure data relating to at least one of an occupant and apremises. Departure data may include data generated from one or moresensors associated with an automation system, electronic informationincluding but not limited to emails, text message, and/or social mediaposts, and/or other information.

Accordingly, monitoring module 305 may operate in conjunction with oneor more sensors that generate departure data indicating, relating to,confirming an occupant departure of the premises at the present time, inthe future, and/or in the past. For example, a sensor may detect theoccupant opening a door of the premises and walking out through theopened door. Additionally, or alternatively, the sensors may detect alocation of the occupant outside the premises. Additionally, oralternatively, the sensors may detect track movement of the occupantrelating to the premises and/or other locations. For example, the systemmay track the user's progressive movement from inside the premises,outside the premises, in a vehicle, at a store, and/or at a travellocation like an airport.

One or more sensors may detect the occupant leaving the premises in avehicle. In some embodiments, identification module 310 may identify alikelihood of an absence in relation to the premises based at least inpart on the departure data. The absence may include the premises beingunoccupied for at least a portion of a predetermined time period. Insome cases, the predetermined time period may include at least a night.In some embodiments, the likelihood of the absence may be based at leastin part on a current travel pattern of the occupant. The current travelpattern may include at least one of a location of the occupant, a routetaken by the occupant, a direction the occupant is traveling, a distancethe occupant has traveled from the premises, an elapsed time since theoccupant departed the premises, any combination thereof, and/or otherinformation. For example, the current travel pattern may indicate thatthe occupant is traveling east, is located 120 miles from the premises,the occupant is traveling on a particular interstate highway, 2 hourshave elapsed since the occupant left, and/or the occupant is travelingat 60 miles per hour. In another example, the monitoring module 305 maydetermine the occupant is, was, and/or will be at the airport, which mayindicate that occupant is, was, and/or will be away from the premisesfor a day or more. In some cases, communication module 315 may send aconfirmation request to the occupant to confirm the absence. In somecases, communication module 315 may send a confirmation request to theoccupant to confirm a past absence to validate previous determinations,identifications, calculations, and/or other operations relating to anabsence. The confirmation may be sent based at least in part onidentifying the likelihood of the absence.

In some embodiments, determination module 320 may determine whether thecurrent travel pattern matches one or more previous travel patternsassociated with a previous absence. In some cases, determination module320 may estimate a mode of travel based on location, direction, speed oftravel, and/or altitude, etc. For example, a GPS unit may indicate anoccupant is traveling at 60 miles per hour on or along an interstatehighway. Accordingly, determination module 320 may estimate that theoccupant is traveling by an automobile, motorcycle, bus, taxi, train,etc. In another example, determination module 320 may determine that theoccupant is traveling at 500 miles per hour over a location with minimalinfrastructure (e.g., minimal roads, minimal nearby cities, etc.).Accordingly, determination module 320 may determine that occupant istraveling by air. In some embodiments, determination module 320 maymodify the likelihood of the absence based at least in part on suchdeterminations, including based at least in part on travel method whereone travel method may increase or have no effect a likelihood of anabsence and another travel method may decrease or have no effect on alikelihood of an absence.

For example, determination module 320 may store data associated with oneor more previous absences. The stored data may include a location of theoccupant away from the premises, a direction the occupant traveled, aroute taken by the occupant, a distance the occupant traveled from thepremises, an estimated mode of travel, an elapsed time from departureuntil return, an itinerary, other information, and/or any a combinationthereof. In some embodiments, determination module 320 may determinewhether a location of one or more other occupants of the premisesrelates to the current travel pattern. In an example where threeoccupants reside at a premises, determination module 320 may modify thelikelihood of a type of absence (e.g., a prolonged absence such as oneor more nights of the premises not being occupied, etc.) based at leastin part on determining the occupants are traveling together such as onvacation, business, etc. Thus, two more occupants traveling to and/orarriving at an airport may modify the likelihood of the premises beingunoccupied for a longer time than usual.

On the other hand, the monitoring module 305 may detect the occupantgoing to work, going to school, going to a shopping location such as thegrocery store, department store, etc., going to an entertainmentlocation, going to a relatively nearby residence such as that of afriend, family member, etc. Upon detecting such local travel, thedetermination module 320 may determine a low likelihood of the premisesbeing unoccupied that night. In some cases, determination module 320 maylearn certain characteristics related to occupant travel, including, butnot limited to, places the occupant regularly visits (such as work,school, church, shops, friends, family, etc.), times the occupant visitsand/or returns from such places (e.g., in the morning, in the afternoon,in the evening, etc.), the frequency of these visits in a predeterminedperiod (such as twice a week, every Sunday), the time of year, theduration of such visits (such as a day, a week, a few hours), and/orother information.

In some embodiments, upon determining a distance traveled by theoccupant satisfies a predetermined threshold, a confirmation request maybe generated. For example, upon determining the occupant has traveledover 100 miles, the communication module 315 may generate and send aconfirmation request. The confirmation request may be sent to theoccupant and/or one or more designated recipients. The confirmationrequest may request that the recipient confirm the indicated absence.

In some cases, the confirmation request may include a request for anindicator related to a length that the premises is expected beunoccupied. For example, the occupant may respond with an indicator of 3days, indicating the premises is expected to be unoccupied for 3 days.The modification module 325 may initiate an adjustment of and/or adjustat least one aspect of one or more security and/or automation systemcomponents and/or system, including, but not limited to, a lightingsystem, or a climate control system, or a security system, or anappliance control system, or a combination thereof, based at least inpart on the indicator. In some embodiments, modification module 325 mayvary a schedule for powering at least one of a light, or an appliance,or a media device, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments,modification module 325 may suspend in-premises audio alerts during theabsence. For example, modification module 325 may suspend a dailymorning alarm, audio notifications regarding an automation system and/orsecurity system during the absence. In some cases, the modificationmodule 325 may modify the operation of appliances and/or otherelectronic devices such as a fridge, washer, oven, water heater,furnace, air conditioner, etc. For example, the modification module 325may turn down a water heater, may initiate an adjustment of and/oradjust an HVAC system to use less energy during the absence, and soforth. In some embodiments, modification module 325 may adjust (e.g.,turn off, suspend, etc.) an automated coffee machine, turn off a watermain valve, etc.

In some embodiments, the system (via smart vacation module 215 orotherwise) may perform one or more operations discussed in thisdisclosure automatically without receiving information from aconfirmation request. For example, based on a determined likelihood ofan absence the system may automatically may initiate an adjustment ofand/or adjust operation of one or more security and/or automation systemcomponents and/or other systems. This automatic operation modificationmay occur regardless of a confirmation request.

In some embodiments, communication module 315 may request a confirmationto schedule one or more system status updates. Upon receiving anaffirmative response to the confirmation request, communication module315 may request to schedule one or more system status updates and/orautomatically perform one or more status updates. In some embodiments,the system status updates may be reoccurring such as based on theconfirmed number of nights the premises is expected to remain unoccupiedor non-reoccurring. In some cases, the system status updates may be sentdaily at a preset time such as delivered via a notification on asmartphone, via SMS, via email, etc. In some cases, a system statusupdate may be sent upon detecting an anomaly such as an anomaly relatedto a security system and/or automation system. In some cases,modification module 325 may automatically schedule one or more systemstatus updates.

In some embodiments, the occupant may select what triggers sending asystem status update (e.g., generated by schedule, generated by asensor, etc.). In some cases, the occupant may select which aspects toinclude in the system status updates such as security, appliances,lighting, temperature, climate, etc. A system status update may provideperiodic status updates on the premises, including reporting anomalies,motion detections, sound detections, image detections, applianceoperation (e.g., operation of fridge, oven, water heater, furnace, airconditioner, vehicle at the premises, etc.). In some cases, monitoringmodule 305 may learn normal operation of appliances, electrical systems,HVAC systems, etc., by monitoring power usage, time of day usage,operating times, etc., and thus detect abnormalities in the monitoredsystems.

When no anomaly is detected, communication module 315 may generate asummary status with graphic symbols indicating no abnormalities. Forexample, a system status update may include an overall representation(e.g., a green checkmark, a smiley face, a numerical value, aqualitative score, etc.) for all monitored systems and/or anrepresentation for each monitored system. Additionally, oralternatively, the system status update may include a current premisesindoor temperature, current thermostat settings, current state of locks,doors, and windows, and status of detections for sensors such as motionsensors. When an abnormality is detected, the communication module 315may include a representation (e.g., a graphical symbol such as a red boxwith an “X” in it) displayed in relation to the system associated withthe abnormality.

In some embodiments, the one or more system status updates may permitthe occupant to generate a virtual key to enable another person to enterthe premises during the absence. The one or more system status updatesmay include a selectable option to generate a virtual key to enable anon-occupant to enter the premises during the absence. For example, thesystem status update may include a button that enables the occupant tosend a virtual key to a designated recipient. In some embodiments,communication module 315 may send a reminder related to the absence to adesignated user. In some cases, the reminder relates to mail pickup,garbage collection, lawn care, premises inspection, a virtual key, otherthings or event, and/or any combination thereof. In some cases, thereminder may allow the recipient to request the occupant to send him orher a virtual key.

In some embodiments, monitoring module 305 may monitor for securityirregularities relating to the premises. Communication module 315 maygenerate a notification based at least in part on the securitymonitoring. The notification may be provided to the occupant and/or adesignated user other than the occupant. For example, when themonitoring module 305 detects a person at the front door of thepremises, the communication module 315 may generate a notificationindicating the visit. When the monitoring module 305 detects a packagedelivered to the premises, the communication module 315 may send anotification to the occupant and/or send a message to a designatedrecipient (e.g., a neighbor, family member, friend, coworker, etc.) topick up and hold the package for the occupant.

Upon receiving a confirmation of the absence from the occupant, themonitoring module 305 may detect a security abnormality such as a doorleft unlocked, a window left open, a light left on, an appliance lefton, etc. The communication module 315 may send a notification to theoccupant regarding the abnormality in response to receiving the absenceconfirmation, propose one or more courses of action including arecommended action and/or other possibilities, and/or automaticallyperform one or more operations, among other things. The notification mayinclude a button preconfigured to generate a virtual key to a designatedperson. The occupant may actuate a device (e.g., click a button, touch ascreen, etc.) and then the communication module 315 may generate thevirtual key, send the virtual key to the designated user, and/or sendnotifications to the occupant regarding the designated user receivingthe virtual key, activating the virtual key, and/or using the virtualkey.

When the monitoring module 305 detects a flood condition via a floodsensor (e.g., indoor plumbing flood, outdoor water flood, etc.), thecommunication module 315 may send a notification immediately to theoccupant, send a notification to a designated user, and/or send anotification to a designated emergency response contact regarding thedetected flood. Virtual keys may be automatically generated for thedesignated user and/or emergency response personnel. In some cases, themodification module 325 may automatically close an automated water mainvalve to stem the flooding due to potential indoor water sources. Thevirtual keys may include, but is not limited to, a wirelesslytransmitted code, a numerical password, a key word to be entered and/orspoken, a symbol, a QR code to be scanned, a phrase, and/or otherinformation.

FIG. 4 shows a system 400 for use in automation systems, in accordancewith various examples. System 400 may include an apparatus 205-b, whichmay be an example of the control panels 135 of FIG. 1. Apparatus 205-bmay also be an example of one or more aspects of apparatus 205 and/or205-a of FIGS. 2 and 3.

Apparatus 205-b may include components for bi-directional voice and datacommunications including components for transmitting communications andcomponents for receiving communications. For example, apparatus 205-bmay communicate bi-directionally with one or more of device 115-a, oneor more sensor units 110-a, remote computing device 140, and/or remoteserver 155-a, which may be an example of the remote server of FIG. 1.This bi-directional communication may be direct (e.g., apparatus 205-bcommunicating directly with remote computing device 140) and/or indirect(e.g., apparatus 205-b communicating indirectly with remote server 155-athrough remote computing device 140).

Apparatus 205-b may also include a processor module 405, and memory 410(including software/firmware code (SW) 415), an input/output controllermodule 420, a user interface module 425, a transceiver module 430, andone or more antennas 435 each of which may communicate—directly orindirectly—with one another (e.g., via one or more buses 440). Thetransceiver module 430 may communicate bi-directionally—via the one ormore antennas 435, wired links, and/or wireless links—with one or morenetworks or remote devices as described above. For example, thetransceiver module 430 may communicate bi-directionally with one or moreof device 115-a, remote computing device 140, and/or remote server155-a. The transceiver module 430 may include a modem to modulate thepackets and provide the modulated packets to the one or more antennas435 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the one ormore antennas 435, the control panel or the control device may also havemultiple antennas 435 capable of concurrently transmitting or receivingmultiple wired and/or wireless transmissions.

In some embodiments, one element of apparatus 205-b (e.g., one or moreantennas 435, transceiver module 430, etc.) may provide a directconnection to a remote server 155-a via a direct network link to theInternet via a POP (point of presence). In some embodiments, one elementof apparatus 205-b (e.g., one or more antennas 435, transceiver module430, etc.) may provide a connection using wireless techniques, includingdigital cellular telephone connection, Cellular Digital Packet Data(CDPD) connection, digital satellite data connection, and/or anotherconnection.

The signals associated with system 400 may include wirelesscommunication signals such as radio frequency, electromagnetics, localarea network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), virtual private network(VPN), wireless network (using 802.11, for example), 345 MHz, Z-WAVE®,cellular network (using 3G and/or LTE, for example), and/or othersignals. The one or more antennas 435 and/or transceiver module 430 mayinclude or be related to, but are not limited to, WWAN (GSM, CDMA, andWCDMA), WLAN (including BLUETOOTH® and Wi-Fi), WMAN (WiMAX), antennasfor mobile communications, antennas for Wireless Personal Area Network(WPAN) applications (including RFID and UWB). In some embodiments, eachantenna 435 may receive signals or information specific and/or exclusiveto itself. In other embodiments, each antenna 435 may receive signals orinformation not specific or exclusive to itself.

In some embodiments, one or more sensor units 110-a (e.g., GPS, LPS,motion, proximity, smoke, light, glass break, door, audio, image,window, carbon monoxide, and/or another sensor) may connect to someelement of system 400 via a network using one or more wired and/orwireless connections.

In some embodiments, the user interface module 425 may include an audiodevice, such as an external speaker system, an external display devicesuch as a display screen, and/or an input device (e.g., remote controldevice interfaced with the user interface module 425 directly and/orthrough I/O controller module 420).

One or more buses 440 may allow data communication between one or moreelements of apparatus 205-b (e.g., processor module 405, memory 410, I/Ocontroller module 420, user interface module 425, etc.).

The memory 410 may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory(ROM), flash RAM, and/or other types. The memory 410 may storecomputer-readable, computer-executable software/firmware code 415including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor module405 to perform various functions described in this disclosure (e.g.,determining occupancy of a premises, tracking a location of an occupant,determining a likelihood of the premises being unoccupied for one ormore nights, and/or determine whether to generate a notification, etc.).Alternatively, the software/firmware code 415 may not be directlyexecutable by the processor module 405 but may cause a computer (e.g.,when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein.Alternatively, the computer-readable, computer-executablesoftware/firmware code 415 may not be directly executable by theprocessor module 405 but may be configured to cause a computer (e.g.,when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. Theprocessor module 405 may include an intelligent hardware device, e.g., acentral processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.

In some embodiments, the memory 410 can contain, among other things, theBasic Input-Output system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware and/orsoftware operation such as the interaction with peripheral components ordevices. For example, the smart vacation module 215 to implement thepresent systems and methods may be stored within the system memory 410.Applications resident with system 400 are generally stored on andaccessed via a non-transitory computer readable medium, such as a harddisk drive or other storage medium. Additionally, applications can be inthe form of electronic signals modulated in accordance with theapplication and data communication technology when accessed via anetwork interface (e.g., transceiver module 430, one or more antennas435, etc.).

Many other devices and/or subsystems may be connected to one or may beincluded as one or more elements of system 400 (e.g., entertainmentsystem, computing device, remote cameras, wireless key fob, wall mounteduser interface device, cell radio module, battery, alarm siren, doorlock, lighting system, thermostat, home appliance monitor, utilityequipment monitor, and so on). In some embodiments, all of the elementsshown in FIG. 4 need not be present to practice the present systems andmethods. The devices and subsystems can be interconnected in differentways from that shown in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, an aspect of someoperation of a system, such as that shown in FIG. 4, may be readilyknown in the art and are not discussed in detail in this application.Code to implement the present disclosure can be stored in anon-transitory computer-readable medium such as one or more of systemmemory 410 or other memory. The operating system provided on I/Ocontroller module 420 may be iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®,OS/2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, or another known operating system.

The transceiver module 430 may include a modem configured to modulatethe packets and provide the modulated packets to the antennas 435 fortransmission and/or to demodulate packets received from the antennas435. While the apparatus (e.g., 205-b) and/or a control panel or acontrol device may include a single antenna 435, the apparatus (e.g.,205-b) and/or a control panel or control device may have multipleantennas 435 capable of concurrently transmitting and/or receivingmultiple wireless transmissions.

The apparatus 205-b may include a smart vacation module 215-b, which mayperform the functions described above for the smart vacation modules 215of apparatus 205 of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary block diagram of a data flow 500 relating to asecurity and/or an automation system, in accordance with various aspectsof this disclosure. The data flow 500 illustrates possible scenariosrelating to the flow of data between an occupancy sensor unit 110-b, alocation sensor unit 110-c, and/or an apparatus 205-c. In someembodiments, the data flow 500 may include additional component and/orelements. In some embodiments, the data flow 500 may omit one or morecomponent and/or elements. The occupancy and/or location sensor units110 may be examples of one or more aspects of sensor unit 110 from FIGS.1 and/or 4. Apparatus 205-c may be an example of one or more aspects ofcontrol panel 135 of FIG. 1, and/or apparatus 205 of FIGS. 2-4. In somecases, apparatus 205-c may include a computing device such as a smartphone, a desktop, a laptop, a remote server (e.g., server 155 of FIG.1), among others. In some cases, apparatus 205-c may include a storagedevice and/or a database, among other things

At block 505, occupancy sensor unit 110-b may detect an occupantdeparting and/or other movement. Occupancy sensor unit 110-b may sendoccupancy data stream 510 to apparatus 205-c. In some cases, occupancysensor unit 110-b may send occupancy data stream 510 based on detectingthe occupant departing. Additionally, or alternatively, occupancy sensorunit 110-b may send a continuous occupancy data stream 510 to apparatus205-c. Upon receiving occupancy data stream 510, apparatus 205-c maysend a location request 515 to location sensor unit 110-c. At block 520,the location sensor unit 110-c may determine one or more locations ofthe occupant, including one or more past locations, a current locations,and/or predicted future locations. Upon determining the one or morelocations, location sensor unit 110-c may send a location data stream525 to apparatus 205-c. In some cases, location sensor unit 110-c maysend location data stream 525 upon determining the occupant's location.Additionally, or alternatively, location sensor 110-c may send acontinuous location data stream 525 to apparatus 205-c. At block 530,apparatus 205-c may analyze the location data in the location datastream 525. At block 535, apparatus 205-c may initiate an adjustment ofand/or adjust one or more systems, components, and/or elements based atleast in part on the analysis. For example, apparatus 205-c may initiatean adjustment of and/or adjust an aspect of a lighting system, an HVACsystem, a security system (e.g., actuating an automated lock, adjustingand/or activating a motion sensor, adjusting and/or activating asecurity camera, etc.).

The data flow 500 may relate to extended-absence detection andautomation relating to automation/security systems. It should be notedthat the data flow 500 is just one implementation and that theoperations of the data flow may be rearranged, omitted, and/or otherwisemodified such that other implementations are possible and contemplated.In some embodiments, for example, the location sensor unit 110-c mayprovide information relating to occupant departure and one or more othersensors, such as occupancy sensor unit 110-b, may relate to determineoccupant location information. Moreover, one or more operationsdescribed as performed by or relating to one component may be performedby and/or relate to one or more other components.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method 600 for homeautomation, in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure. For clarity, the method 600 is described below withreference to aspects of one or more of the sensor units 110 describedwith reference to FIGS. 1, 4, and/or 5. In some examples, a controlpanel, backend server, mobile computing device, and/or sensor mayexecute one or more sets of codes to control the functional elements ofthe control panel, backend server, mobile computing device, and/orsensor to perform one or more of the functions described below.Additionally or alternatively, the control panel, backend server, mobilecomputing device, and/or sensor may perform one or more of the functionsdescribed below using special-purpose hardware.

At block 605, departure data relating to at least one of an occupant anda premises may be detected. At block 610, a likelihood of an absence maybe identified in relation to the premises based at least in part on thedeparture data. In some cases, the absence may include the premisesbeing unoccupied for at least a portion of a predetermined time period.The predetermined time period may include at least one night. At block615, a confirmation request may be sent based at least in part on theidentifying for the occupant associated with the premises to confirm theabsence. In some cases, the confirmation request may include a requestfor an indicator related to a length that the premises is expected beunoccupied. In some embodiments, at least one aspect of a lightingsystem, a climate control system, a security system, an appliancecontrol system, or any combination thereof, may be adjusted based atleast in part on the indicator provided by the occupant. In someembodiments, the likelihood of the absence may be based at least in parton a current travel pattern of the occupant. The current travel patternmay include at least one of a location, a route taken by the occupant, adirection of travel, a distance from the premises, an elapsed time sincedeparture, or any combination thereof. Any of the operations at block605-615 may be performed using the smart vacation module 215 describedwith reference to FIGS. 2-4 and/or another module.

Thus, the method 600 may provide for extended-absence detection andautomation relating to automation/security systems. It should be notedthat the method 600 is just one implementation and that the operationsof the method 600 may be rearranged, omitted, and/or otherwise modifiedsuch that other implementations are possible and contemplated.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method 700 for homeautomation, in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure. For clarity, the method 700 is described below withreference to aspects of one or more of the sensor units 110 describedwith reference to FIGS. 1, 4, and/or 5. In some examples, a controlpanel, backend server, mobile computing device, and/or sensor mayexecute one or more sets of codes to control the functional elements ofthe control panel, backend server, mobile computing device, and/orsensor to perform one or more of the functions described below.Additionally or alternatively, the control panel, backend server, mobilecomputing device, and/or sensor may perform one or more of the functionsdescribed below using special-purpose hardware.

At block 705, a likelihood of an absence may be identified in relationto the premises based at least in part on the departure data. At block710, whether the current travel pattern matches one or more previoustravel patterns associated with a previous absence may be determined. Atblock 715, whether a location of one or more other occupants of thepremises relates to the current travel pattern may be determined. Thelikelihood of the absence may be increased based at least in part ondetermining the current travel pattern matches a previous travel patternand/or determining the location of one or more other occupants.

At block 720, a confirmation to schedule one or more system statusupdates may be requested. In some embodiments, one or more system statusupdates may be automatically scheduled. In some cases, the one or moresystem status updates may enable the user to request a virtual key begenerated to enable entry and/or perform one or more other operationsrelating to the premises during the absence.

At block 725, a reminder related to the absence may be sent to adesignated user such as a neighbor, family member, friend, and/orcoworker. The reminder may remind the recipient regarding at least oneof mail pickup, garbage collection, lawn care, premises inspection, avirtual key, other activities and/or events, and/or any combinationthereof. In some cases, security irregularities relating to the premisesmay be monitored and a notification may be sent based at least in parton the monitoring. The notification may be provided to the occupantand/or a designated user other than the occupant.

At block 730, one or more operating parameters, such as a schedule forpowering at least one of a light, an appliance, a media device, and/orany combination thereof, may be varied. In some cases, a schedule may bevaried randomly to mimic the premises being occupied. In some cases, aschedule may be programmed to mimic past data related to the specificpremises and/or a pre-determined schedule. The operations at blocks705-730 may be performed using the smart vacation module 215 describedwith reference to FIGS. 2-4 and/or another module.

Thus, the method 700 may provide for extended-absence detection andautomation relating to automation/security systems. It should be notedthat the method 700 is just one implementation and that the operationsof the method 700 may be rearranged, omitted, and/or otherwise modifiedsuch that other implementations are possible and contemplated.

In some examples, aspects from any of the methods 600 and 700 may becombined, separated, omitted, modified, reordered, and/or otherwisedifferentiated. It should be noted that the methods 600 and 700 are justexample implementations, and that the operations of the methods 600 and700 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that otherimplementations are possible.

The detailed description set forth above in connection with the appendeddrawings describes examples and does not represent the only instancesthat may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. Theterms “example” and “exemplary,” when used in this description, mean“serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred”or “advantageous over other examples.” The detailed description includesspecific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of thedescribed techniques. These techniques, however, may be practicedwithout these specific details. In some instances, known structures andapparatuses are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuringthe concepts of the described examples.

Information and signals may be represented using any of a variety ofdifferent technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions,commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may bereferenced throughout the above description may be represented byvoltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles,optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

The various illustrative blocks and components described in connectionwith this disclosure may be implemented or performed with ageneral-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, anFPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processormay be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may beany conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, and/or statemachine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination ofcomputing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor,multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunctionwith a DSP core, and/or any other such configuration.

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, softwareexecuted by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. Ifimplemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may bestored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are withinthe scope and spirit of the disclosure and appended claims. For example,due to the nature of software, functions described above can beimplemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware,hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementingfunctions may also be physically located at various positions, includingbeing distributed such that portions of functions are implemented atdifferent physical locations.

As used herein, including in the claims, the term “and/or,” when used ina list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items canbe employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listeditems can be employed. For example, if a composition is described ascontaining components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain Aalone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination;B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination. Also, as usedherein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (forexample, a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of”or “one or more of”) indicates a disjunctive list such that, forexample, a list of “at least one of A, B, or C” means A or B or C or ABor AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C).

In addition, any disclosure of components contained within othercomponents or separate from other components should be consideredexemplary because multiple other architectures may potentially beimplemented to achieve the same functionality, including incorporatingall, most, and/or some elements as part of one or more unitarystructures and/or separate structures.

Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media andcommunication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of acomputer program from one place to another. A storage medium may be anyavailable medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or specialpurpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation,computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory,CD-ROM, DVD, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used tocarry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions ordata structures and that can be accessed by a general-purpose orspecial-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purposeprocessor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readablemedium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website,server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable,twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologiessuch as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiberoptic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such asinfrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium.Disk and disc, as used herein, include compact disc (CD), laser disc,optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray discwhere disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproducedata optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also includedwithin the scope of computer-readable media.

The previous description of the disclosure is provided to enable aperson skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Variousmodifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may beapplied to other variations without departing from the scope of thedisclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not to be limited to the examplesand designs described herein but is to be accorded the broadest scopeconsistent with the principles and novel features disclosed.

This disclosure may specifically apply to security system applications.This disclosure may specifically apply to automation systemapplications. In some embodiments, the concepts, the technicaldescriptions, the features, the methods, the ideas, and/or thedescriptions may specifically apply to security and/or automation systemapplications. Distinct advantages of such systems for these specificapplications are apparent from this disclosure.

The process parameters, actions, and steps described and/or illustratedin this disclosure are given by way of example only and can be varied asdesired. For example, while the steps illustrated and/or described maybe shown or discussed in a particular order, these steps do notnecessarily need to be performed in the order illustrated or discussed.The various exemplary methods described and/or illustrated here may alsoomit one or more of the steps described or illustrated here or includeadditional steps in addition to those disclosed.

Furthermore, while various embodiments have been described and/orillustrated here in the context of fully functional computing systems,one or more of these exemplary embodiments may be distributed as aprogram product in a variety of forms, regardless of the particular typeof computer-readable media used to actually carry out the distribution.The embodiments disclosed herein may also be implemented using softwaremodules that perform certain tasks. These software modules may includescript, batch, or other executable files that may be stored on acomputer-readable storage medium or in a computing system. In someembodiments, these software modules may permit and/or instruct acomputing system to perform one or more of the exemplary embodimentsdisclosed here.

This description, for purposes of explanation, has been described withreference to specific embodiments. The illustrative discussions above,however, are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the present systemsand methods to the precise forms discussed. Many modifications andvariations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodimentswere chosen and described in order to explain the principles of thepresent systems and methods and their practical applications, to enableothers skilled in the art to utilize the present systems, apparatus, andmethods and various embodiments with various modifications as may besuited to the particular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for security and/or automation systems,comprising: detecting departure data relating to at least one of anoccupant and a premises; identifying a likelihood of an absence inrelation to the premises based at least in part on the departure data,the absence comprising the premises being unoccupied for at least aportion of a predetermined time period; and sending a confirmationrequest based at least in part on the identifying for the occupantassociated with the premises to confirm the absence.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the likelihood of the absence is based at least in parton a current travel pattern of the occupant, the current travel patternincluding at least one of a location, or a route, or a direction oftravel, or a distance from the premises, or an elapsed time sincedeparture, or a combination thereof.
 3. The method of claim 2,comprising: determining whether the current travel pattern matches oneor more previous travel patterns associated with a previous absence; andmodifying the likelihood of the absence based at least in part on thedetermining.
 4. The method of claim 2, comprising: determining whether alocation of one or more other occupants of the premises relates to thecurrent travel pattern; and modifying the likelihood of the absencebased at least in part on the determining.
 5. The method of claim 2,wherein the confirmation request comprises: a request for an indicatorrelated to a length that the premises is expected be unoccupied.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, comprising: initiating an adjustment of at least oneaspect of a lighting system, or a climate control system, or a securitysystem, or an appliance control system, or a combination thereof, basedat least in part on the indicator.
 7. The method of claim 1, comprising:requesting a confirmation to schedule one or more system status updates,wherein the one or more system status updates permit generating avirtual key to enable entry of the premises during the absence.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, comprising: automatically scheduling one or moresystem status updates.
 9. The method of claim 1, comprising: sending areminder to a designated user, wherein the reminder relates to at leastone of mail pickup, or garbage collection, or lawn care, or premisesinspection, or a virtual key, or a combination thereof.
 10. The methodof claim 1, comprising: checking for security irregularities relating tothe premises; and providing a notification based at least in part on thechecking, wherein the notification is provided to at least one of theoccupant and a designated user.
 11. The method of claim 1, comprising:varying a schedule for powering at least one of a light, or anappliance, or a media device, or a combination thereof.
 12. The methodof claim 1, wherein the predetermined time period comprises: at least anight.
 13. An apparatus for an automation system, comprising: aprocessor; memory in electronic communication with the processor; andinstructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable bythe processor to: detect departure data relating to at least one of anoccupant and a premises; identify a likelihood of an absence in relationto the premises based at least in part on the departure data, theabsence comprising the premises being unoccupied for at least a portionof a predetermined time period; and send a confirmation request based atleast in part on the identifying for the occupant associated with thepremises to confirm the absence.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, whereinthe likelihood of the absence is based at least in part on a currenttravel pattern of the occupant, the current travel pattern including atleast one of a location, or a route, or a direction of travel, or adistance from the premises, or an elapsed time since departure, or acombination thereof.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, the instructionsbeing executable by the processor to: determine whether the currenttravel pattern matches one or more previous travel patterns associatedwith a previous absence; and modify the likelihood of the absence basedat least in part on the determining.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, theinstructions being executable by the processor to: determine whether alocation of one or more other occupants of the premises relates to thecurrent travel pattern; and modify the likelihood of the absence basedat least in part on the determining.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14,wherein the confirmation request comprises a request for an indicatorrelated to a length that the premises is expected be unoccupied.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 17, the instructions being executable by theprocessor to: initiating an adjustment of at least one aspect of alighting system, or a climate control system, or a security system, oran appliance control system, or a combination thereof, based at least inpart on the indicator.
 19. The apparatus of claim 13, the instructionsbeing executable by the processor to: request a confirmation to scheduleone or more system status updates, wherein the one or more system statusupdates permit generating a virtual key to enable entry of the premisesduring the absence.
 20. A non-transitory computer-readable mediumstoring computer-executable code for an automation system, the codeexecutable by a processor to: detect departure data relating to at leastone of an occupant and a premises; identify a likelihood of an absencein relation to the premises based at least in part on the departuredata, the absence comprising the premises being unoccupied for at leasta portion of a predetermined time period; and send a confirmationrequest based at least in part on the identifying for the occupantassociated with the premises to confirm the absence.